' Ananda, there are four places the sight of which should arouse emotion in the faithful. Which are they? "Here the Tathagata was born" is the first. "Here the Tathagata attained supreme enlightenment" is the second. "Here the Tathagata set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma" is the third. "Here the Tathagata attained the Nibbana-element without remainder" is the fourth. And , Ananda, the faithful monks and nuns, male and female lay-fllowers will visit those places. And any who die while making the pilgrimage to these shrines with a devout heart will, at the breaking-up of the body after death, will be reborn in a heavenly world.
- Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya verse 5.8
My first pilgrimage to the holy sites in India and Nepal happens between 24 March - 2 April 2009. It is a spiritual experience that all Buddhists should aspire to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, at least once in their lifetime.
Tuesday, 24th March 2009, Bangkok-Bodhgaya
Flight TG 8820 took off from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 12.10pm for Gaya in Bihar, India. Thai Airways is one of the only three airlines that flew direct to Gaya. This mostly caters to the Thai pilgrims which forms the major group of Buddhist pilgrims to India.
The flight took about three hours and was smooth flying except two air turbulences. Upon arrival at the Gaya Airport at about 1.40pm local time, the Indian experience on "hospitability" began to unfold. Walking from the tarmac, we were make to wait for the "automatic" door to be opened manually before proceeding to the immigration section. First impression is important, are tourists welcome to India? Follow-on, there was no immigration officers manning the counters to process our delegation's passports. Waited again.
After the officers discuss with the group tour coordinators, we were allowed to pass immigration half an hour later.
It was blazing hot once we get out from the air-conditioned airport arrival hall. Truly, other than the human factor, I am impressed with the modern and clean condition of the airport.
We arrived at the Wat Thai Buddhagaya about 15 minutes later. Thai Buddhist temples are built in major Buddhist pilgrimage sites all over India and Lumbini. Thai pilgrims are able to stay at these temples during their pilgrimage and participate in the daily temple religious services. Furthermore, Thai meals are served and hot beverages are available easily for these pilgrims.
We had a briefing and rooms allocation at the dining hall. Picture above shows me and my dhamma brother from Thailand, Bro. Pongpun, who later shall be addressed as Venerable Pongpun.
There were five of us sharing the same room which has an attached bathroom. If a room with basic facilities is good enough for a former Thai Health Minister and a Managing Director of a major corporation, it is for sure more than good enough for me!
Knowing very well the hot and humid weather in India, the organiser prepared the ever popular and "body-saving" cooling powder Prickly Heat for each and everyone of us. We were even given a spray bottle of Sketolene, an insect repellant. At least it reduces the chances of us from breaking the first precept, those mosquitoes will not be coming near us for sure!
This pilgrimage tour organised by the Young Buddhist Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage has one special event in comparison with the tours organised by other Buddhist groups and travel agencies. One major and special part of the program is the ordaination as monks and novices of 1/3 of the participants under the Bodhi Tree in MahaBodhi Temple.
The shaving ceremony was held at the Wat Thai Buddhagaya during dusk. Family members and close friends were there to be part of the ceremony and provides the spiritual support.
The Young Buddhist Association of Thailand president, Anurut Vongvanij (2nd from right) and his son Krittithep ( front middle) will be ordained later.
Transformation from brother to Venerable Pongpun
And enjoys a magnificent eagle view kilometers away from the top. We reap what we sow!
We continued the Buddha's trail and reach a small village where a stupa was built over maiden Sujata's house who offered Buddha the milk rice before His enlightenment.
Just a short distance away, we reached the Neranjara River in minutes. The MahaBodhi Temple can be seen from the opposite banks of the Neranjara River.
Neranjara River, where the Buddha bathe during his stays at Bodhgaya, dries-up during the dry season.
We made our vows at the river banks of Neranjara, just as Buddha did during His time.
